Turriff breeder in Texel section breakthrough

Sheep: Texel numbers were up, with a gimmer from Turriff’s Robbie Wilson ultimately winning over the judge

An enthusiastic crowd surrounded the sheep rings on a windy second day of the Royal Highland, where the largest sections were the Texel and Beltex.

Texel numbers were up by more than 50 on the year, with the top award there heading to a gimmer from Turriff’s Robbie Wilson, of the Milnbank flock.

Having won four Suffolk championships and one in the commercial cattle, this was a first win in the Texel section for Mr Wilson.

Stirling-based breeders came to the fore in the Zwartbles, where numbers were boosted by the breed holding its National Show.

Ally Baird led the way, with a full sister to his 2016 champion, a gimmer from his 35-ewe flock which he established just six years ago.

Reserve went to Nicola Henderson, of the Aquila flock, with a bought-in ram that was male champion at last year’s Scottish National Show.

The Beltex section had a whopping 216 entries, with the championship awarded to a Kingledores gimmer from Richard Wood, Broughton, Biggar.

Pictures: The Texel champion from Robbie Wilson, North Dorlaithers, Turriff, the Zwartbles champion from Ally Baird, Greystone Cottage, Dunblane and the Shetland sheep champion from Ian Carnegie, Broomhill, Rickarton, Stonehaven.

Ron Stephen.